SPRINGFIELD- Middle-class families in Illinois are struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of tuition and fees at Illinois’ community colleges and universities. At a time when, Illinois college students and families are paying more than double the national average to attend a public four-year university, Governor Rauner is slashing higher education funding by 30 percent.

This week, the Illinois State Senate took up the discussion on making college more affordable for working families.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is urging the Illinois House to take action on House Bill 3593 to reform the misuse and abuse of taxpayer dollars at public universities and colleges in Illinois.

“If we are going to discuss college affordability, we need to include reforms to address administrative abuses at public universities and community colleges. Increasing funding for higher education isn’t reasonable if we aren’t spending public dollars responsibly and effectively,” said Cullerton. “Working families shouldn’t sacrifice higher education or financial health to pay bloated administrative benefits and severance packages for failed performances.”

HB3593 is currently in the House Rules Committee. The House will need to concur with the amendment filed in the Senate before sending the legislation to the governor’s desk.

The Senate released a report exposing perks and extravagant salaries received by public university and community college administrators with state funds. The report found tuition and fees at public universities have spiked almost 84 percent over the last decade; the average tuition increase is nearly $4,100. As tuition increases, between 1998 and 2008 spending on administration and staff support increased by almost 36 percent.

“We need to work to turn things around for middle-class families in Illinois. Providing an affordable education to our students will contribute to increased economic opportunity, higher employment rates and stability for our families,” said Cullerton. “However, there need to be reforms to the way taxpayer funds are used to ensure families are getting the best value for their investment.”

CHICAGO-State and federal lawmakers and local officials came together at a press conference today about concerns with rising noise levels from O’Hare International Airport.

The FAiR Coalition is a group of local organizations pursuing solutions to a mounting number of complaints from residents unhappy with a major increase in airport-related noise. They attended the press conference with officials today to call for action on these complaints, numbering 350,000 in March 2015 alone. House Joint Resolution 83, passed by both chambers of the General Assembly this spring, urges the City of Chicago to meet with the FAiR Coalition, federal officials and citizens to discuss solutions.

“Residents of DuPage and Cook counties have legitimate complaints. There continues to be a definite negative impact on the quality of life for the residents of these communities,” said Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park). “We need to take action to find a long-term solution to alleviate these communities from unnecessary disturbances.”

The noise issues stem from a dramatic shift in air traffic capacity from diagonal runways to east-west runways. The resolution calls for timely and open communication about hearings in areas surrounding the airport and a halt to runway expansion until public input is complete.

SPRINGFIELD- Do you know what the three branches of U.S. government are? If so, you are one of 36 percent who can answer correctly according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed legislation that would require a semester of civics to graduate high school.

Currently, Illinois is one of only 10 states that doesn’t require at least one civics course. Right now, Illinois high school graduates are required to complete two years of social studies courses. This legislation would simply require one of the two years to include a civics course for one semester.

“Good government is a result of public officials and residents working together to make informed decisions. We need to ensure our young people know how government works to make sure government is working for them,” said Cullerton. The Illinois Task Force on Civic Education recommended Illinois require a civic education course for all high schools in Illinois. The class would focus on government institutions, current issues and discussions and simulations of the democratic process.

“Today, we move one step closer in equipping our students with the necessary skills to be informed and engaged participants in our democracy,” said Shawn Healy, Task Force Chair and Civic Learning Scholar at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in Chicago. “On behalf of the taskforce, we are grateful for the bi-partisan support of this transformational legislation.”

Support for implementing the civics courses would be provided by private funding to cover the cost of professional development and other school district needs.

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